"We should do so again to address the real problem. I intend to
object to any effort to raise the debt ceiling on a 50-vote
threshold. I will insist instead on a 60-vote threshold," Cruz
said.

That means Cruz is going to slow down proceedings in the
Senate. Ultimately, if all 55 senators who caucus with Democrats
vote for the debt-ceiling hike, five Republicans will have to
join them to cross the 60-vote mark. Of course, an "aye" vote on
a debt-ceiling bill isn't one that Republicans are jumping to
cast, but no one expects that this move will ultimately threaten
passage of the legislation.

But Cruz said in his statement that he hopes every Senate
Republican joins with him in blocking passage of the
measure.

"If Republicans stand together we can demand meaningful
spending restraint to help pull our nation back from the fiscal
and economic cliff," Cruz said.